North Central College alumnus and Illinois Teacher of the Year Josh Stumpenhorst threw out the first pitch before a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

June 13, 2012—One of the perks of being Illinois Teacher of the Year is throwing out the first pitch before a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

North Central College alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst experienced his day at the Friendly Confines on Tuesday, June 12, before a night game versus the Detroit Tigers. Stumpenhorst attended with his wife and their two young children, who were excited to meet Cubs pitcher Alberto Cabrera.

“Cabrera just talked to my boys and signed a ball,” Stumpenhorst Tweeted before the big moment. “They are in heaven.”

Josh Stumpenhorst ’03 has earned another Teacher of the Year accolade, this time from the Illinois Education Association (IEA).

Josh Stumpenhorst ’03 has earned another Teacher of the Year accolade, this time from the Illinois Education Association (IEA).

Stumpenhorst is a sixth-grade social science and language arts teacher at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville and last fall was named the Illinois State Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year.

The 158th annual IEA Representative Assembly was held at the Hilton Chicago March 15-17. The assembly is where representatives of the 130,000-member organization meet yearly to determine policies and direction for the association.

Josh Stumpenhorst ’03 gets to go to NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. He’ll also get to meet President Obama and the first lady at a White House dinner in the spring. He may even be invited to throw out the first pitch at a Cubs game.

Those are some of the perks that come with being named the Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012. The Illinois State Board of Education announced the award Oct. 22 during the Those Who Excel banquet in Normal.

The Illinois State Board of Education has named North Central alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst recipient of the 2011-2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award.

Oct. 24, 2011—North Central College alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst is the 2011-2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

Stumpenhorst earned his undergraduate degree in social science and secondary education at North Central College. He teaches language arts and social science to sixth-graders at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville Community Unit School District 203. He credits his experience at North Central for helping him achieve success as an educator.

North Central College alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst is among nine finalists for the 2011-2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award.

North Central College alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst is among nine finalists for the 2011-2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award.

“I’m very humbled and grateful,” Stumpenhorst said of his nomination. “We don’t go into this profession to receive recognition.”

Stumpenhorst, a 2003 graduate of North Central College, teaches language arts and social science to sixth graders at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville Community Unit School District 203. He credits his experience at North Central for helping him achieve success as an educator.